Executive Staff

Roy Hart is the chief executive officer of the Mississippi Public Health Institute (MSPHI). He serves as liaison to MSPHI’s Board of Directors and provides leadership and management oversight for the institute’s programs and partnerships. He originally joined MSPHI in 2015, as chief program officer after retiring from 30 years of state service. Upon leaving state service, Hart was given the Administrator of the Year Award in 2015, by the Mississippi Public Health Association. During his career as a public professional Hart gained significant executive management experience in prevention and chronic disease as well as maternal and child health and special needs populations. Under Hart’s leadership MSPHI has grown from six full-time staff in 2015 to a complement in 2021 approaching 40 professional staff and similarly its funding is now significantly increased from multiple diverse partners/funders. Hart received his Master of Public Health from the University of Southern Mississippi with a concentration in health education and a minor concentration in health administration. He is a Certified Public Manager and a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Roy Hart

Executive/CEO

Glenda Crump, MS, CPM has served as MSPHI’s Chief Administrative Officer since 2014. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit programming and leadership. Before joining MSPHI. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism from Tougaloo College and a Master of Science degree in Communications from Mississippi College.

Glenda Crump

Chief Adminstrative Officer

John Davis, Graduate of Mississippi College's M.B.A Program with a concentration in Accounting. John has over 18 years of non-profit accounting experience. He is originally from Charlotte, NC and lives in Madison with his wife and 3 children.

John Davis

Chief Financial Officer

Staff

Debbie is a Program Specialist for the HIV, Tuberculous, & Sexually Transmitted Infections Early Intervention Services Collaborative Program. Debbie is a native Mississippian and mother of two sons. She is deeply committed to driving social change and improving the lives of those in need. She is a dedicated Nonprofit Program Specialist with over 20 years of experience designing, implementing, and managing impactful programs. Her commitment to social causes and her expertise in nonprofit management has allowed her to contribute significantly to organizations striving for a better world. Beyond professionally, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, fishing, and watching sports.

Debbie Bates

Project Specialist

Imani Bennett, MPH, joined the Mississippi Public Health Institute in 2022 as the Continuing Education Coordinator for the Workforce Development Team. Ms. Bennett monitors all the trainings and creates the CEU certificates for the MSBHLN. She is a graduate of the Mississippi University for Women (MUW), with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health, as well as a Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree.

Imani Bennett

CE Coordinator

Lakesha Brooks is currently MSPHI Grants & Contracts Manager with sixteen+ years of experience in grants management, finance, contracts, and budgets, with solid customer service and communication skills. Lakesha has a master's degree in Higher Education and a certification in Supervisory Management (CSM). Lakesha is highly motivated and progress-focused applying her extensive experiences in community service and public health, promoting health and awareness and providing the resources needed while contributing to this institution's objectives and goals in creating an optimal environment for growth and success.

Lakesha Brooks

Grants & Contracts Manager

Salena Cecil is a board certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years work experience in prenatal, postpartum, and GYN care. Her clinical expertise includes: routine GYN wellness care, GYN cancer screening, contraceptive management/ family planning, STD screening, and Centering Pregnancy. She is excited to be involved in the work to improve health outcomes for moms and babies in the state of Mississippi.

Salena Cecil

Clinical Program Manager

John Conway serves as a Program Manager at MSPHI, where he oversees the Prescription Drug Overdose (PDO) grant administered by MDMH and SAMHSA. The PDO grant focuses on training First Responders in the administration of naloxone to help address the opioid crisis in the state. A certified law enforcement officer, Conway has a B.A. in Communication from Mississippi State University, an M.A. in Community Counseling from Jackson State University and an Ed.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi College. In addition to his work at MSPHI, Conway works as an individual and group counselor, where he helps clients in their recovery from substance and process addictions. Prior to his work at MSPHI, Conway spent 15+ years as the Director of Campus Safety at Millsaps College and was assigned to the vice and narcotics squad through the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Unit.

John Conway

Program Manager

Jan Dawson (Ed. S. Northwestern State University) is Director of Substance Use Prevention, Control and Education at Mississippi Public Health Institute. She manages a portfolio of opioid epidemic response grants in Mississippi, as well as other substance use programs, including workforce development, state leadership teams for substance use policy guidance, and coordinates with state agencies to support substance use programs. Her current portfolio includes grants from MSDH, MSDMH, CDC, SAMHSA, HRSA, and COSSAP.

Jan Dawson

Substance Use Education Program Director

Jan has been with MSPHI since 2011 and during this time has worked on 10 different projects. She currently serves as the program manager for Choctaw Youth Suicide Prevention, Project Firstline Mississippi and Antibiotic Stewardship Educational Campaign. From 1998-2011, Jan was a consultant for the Early Intervention Program at the Mississippi State Department of Health, the Institute for Disability Studies at University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association and the Mississippi Rural Health Association. She was employed as a training coordinator at the Mississippi State Department of Health from 1988-1998. Jan has a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Mississippi.

Jan Enterekin

Program Manager

My name is Shelby Ford. I am passionate about serving my community and state. I have worked in public health for about 10 years in multiple settings. In my spare time I enjoy being with my family, traveling and playing with my dogs.

Shelby Ford

SmartTrack Manager

Meet Kai! The Senior AP Accountant/Human Resource Support for the Mississippi Public Health Institute. She is an alumnus of Mississippi College in Clinton, MS, receiving a BA in Business Administration. She is a Belhaven University graduate student (MSL, MBA) with a concentration in Human Resources, Jackson, MS. Kai brings an extensive background in accounting and human resources to her position. Her experience includes being an Accounting/HR Assistant for The Source of Mississippi, LLC, a Payroll Specialist for Jackson Public Schools, and a Grant Accountant for Tougaloo College (TRiO) and Jackson State University. Kai aims to provide excellent customer service with operational experience, a positive and uplifting attitude, and a helping hand when needed. She also served as the Executive Assistant for the Hinds County Tax Collector (2019), Jackson, MS. When Kai is not serving at MSPHI, she enjoys traveling, reading, self-care, and family time. Kai's daily mantra, meditation, and motivation are "You Did Not Wake Up to Be Mediocre" and "If We Aim for Perfection, We Will Reach Excellence."

Kaiysha Fortson

Senior AP Accountant/HR Support

Having worked in public health for over 14 years, connecting people with partners and resources that can positively affect the health of Mississippians is my passion. I am available to convene conferences, workforce trainings and strategic meetings.

Angie Gainey

Convening Strategist

Angela Glasper

Administrative Assistant

Originally from Colombia. Eliana Glass is the Manager of the Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition through the Mississippi Public Health Institute. A Certified Lactation Consultant that has directly served WIC participants and lower income individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Her education and vast experience as a Lactation Consultant has helped her to develop an understanding of the community’s needs by improving the infant and maternal health in our state. She has promoted awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and committed to providing parents with the necessary resources to reach their breastfeeding goals. In addition, Eliana understands the importance of managing a business plan and carrying out feasibility plans to achieve a specific objective.

Eliana Glass

Coalition Manager

Seasoned Public Health Leader with over 15 years of experience in program management and epidemiology. Strong decision maker with experience mitigating risks, developing contingency plans, and keeping programs on track. Proven ability to lead and manage teams, work collaboratively with diverse populations, and successfully meet program goals on time and within budget. Skilled in Community-Based Participatory Research and engaging non-traditional partners. Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to manage medium to large scale projects and programs. Passionate about Improving Access to Health and Health Outcomes.

Candice Green

Program Manager

LaQuita is a native of Jackson, Mississippi and has a love for the cuisine of the South. She is a dedicated and passionate individual with a deep love for creativity and education. LaQuita thrives in energetic environments and embraces challenges as opportunities for growth. With a background in Psychology and Human Services, she honed skills in Public Health, specifically sexual health, allowing her to educate both clinicians and community audiences locally and nationally. Throughout LaQuita’s journey, she has consistently proven her commitment to educating others about HIV and AIDS. In the South there is still a great stigma and fear surrounding HIV, especially in the Black community. However, I believe together we can transform that. Beyond her professional life, LaQuita loves to travel, try new recipes, and write children’s stories. She is excited about what the future holds and is always eager to learn new skills and make a positive impact in the world.

Laquita Hatcher

HIV Early Intervention Project Manager

Jordon Hillhouse is a Certified Prevention Specialist with over twelve years of experience in substance use prevention. In the past, he has worked with state agencies targeting the opioid crisis, underage drinking, and mental health awareness efforts. His passion is with alcohol and drug prevention education. He has developed many prevention-related trainings and has had the opportunity to speak to thousands of people across the country. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Alcorn State University and is a published author. He currently works at the Mississippi Public Health Institute as the Workforce Development Manager, where he oversees the Mississippi Behavioral Health Learning Network, providing relevant trainings to state and national mental health professionals.

Jordon Hillhouse

Workforce Development Manager

Kezi Jones

Program Manager

Brian Kenner

Program Manager

Merika McAlister's is the Project Specialist for the HIV Planning Council. She holds a pivotal position in devising and executing plans to combat the challenges associated with HIV. With a foundational background in Public Health and Healthcare Administration, she is committed to formulating strategies that enhance services, elevate awareness, and aid individuals impacted by HIV.

Merika McAlister

Project Specialist

April's current work is part of a SAMHSA funded, MS Department of Mental Health grant that aims to increase the awareness of prescription drug misuse and related risk behaviors of overprescribing and sharing of prescribed medication. April’s focus is on prescriber and pharmacist education to help prevent opioid related overdose and death. Prior to joining MSPHI, April worked as a pharmacist in retail and hospital environments since 2007. April received her Doctorate of Pharmacy and her Masters in Health Informatics from the University of Mississippi. She lives with her husband and 2 children in Brandon, MS. April is an active member of the Junior League of Jackson and teaches the 4th grade Sunday school class at First Baptist Fannin. In her free time, April enjoys traveling and trying to keep up with her children’s busy schedules! As a person in long term recovery, April has a passion for substance use prevention and treatment and hopes to use her own experiences to help others with substance use problems.

April Miller

SPORT Coordinator

Logan Nalker is a Project Manager at the Mississippi Public Health Institute on the Health Systems and Practice team. She currently holds her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in Social Service Systems from the University of Southern Mississippi. Current projects include COVID-19 Response efforts, Opioid Crisis Response efforts in southwest Mississippi, and Overdose Response efforts. She is a loving cat mom to two furry angels sent straight from heaven.

Logan Nalker

Project Manager

Native of Jackson, MS., my background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Jackson State University and a Master of Public Health degree from Tulane University. I have a passion for helping underrepresented communities through public service and continuous education to fully understand the needs of others. Fun Fact, I have been a professional tattoo artist for 13 years.

Madison Nevels

Program Manager

Caroline Newkirk, MPH, CHES, CPH joined the Mississippi Public Health Institute in 2020 as the Evaluation Specialist on a number of projects. Her work is dedicated mostly to federally-funded statewide opioid prevention and surveillance grants, in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health, as well as additional maternal and child health projects directed by MSPHI in which social determinants of health and health disparities are addressed. Caroline is also an Adjunct Professor in the Public Health Technology Program at Itawamba Community College, teaching a number of public health courses in both the Fall and Spring semesters. She previously worked with the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Preventive Health, where she served as Deputy Bureau Director of the Chronic Disease Bureau and Project Director of a youth obesity prevention research project in Head Start Centers. Caroline received her Masters in Public Health degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008 and has been an active member of the Mississippi Public Health Association since 2013.

Caroline Newkirk

Evaluation Specialist

Elizabeth Ozene

Program Manager

Heather Radcliffe is a Program Specialist at the Mississippi Public Health Institute, leveraging her knowledge in social work to drive impactful programs and initiatives. Hailing from Meridian, Mississippi, Heather laid the foundation of her professional journey at Mississippi State University - Meridian, where she earned her bachelor's degree in social work. Recognizing the power of education, she continues her academic pursuits at Jackson State University to attain her master's degree in social work.

Heather Radcliffe

Program Specialist

Latrice Ramsey

Receptionist

Dr. Roach is a registered dietitian who serves as the Maternal and Child Health Program Director for the Mississippi Public Health Institute. She has also taught in higher education for the past 27 years and has previously worked in a variety of clinical settings. Dr. Roach has a passion for health promotion, particularly when it comes to mothers and their communities. Dr. Roach also loves teaching and sharing her knowledge and experience with students.

Jacinda Roach

Maternal and Child Health Program Director

Christopher Russell brings over 12 years of extensive experience in public health to his current role. Early in his career, Chris excelled in marketing and prevention within non-profit and community-based organizations, focusing on various public health initiatives such as HIV, STIs, substance use, underage drinking, and impaired driving. In 2018, Chris assumed the position of Director of Adolescent Health at the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH), Bureau of Maternal and Child Health. Here, he spearheaded efforts to improve services at School-based Health Centers, educated young adults on navigating healthcare and insurance, and emphasized the importance of health screenings for adolescents. Concurrently, he played a pivotal role in the Covid-19 Health Equity Response Unit, ensuring equitable distribution of over 2.5 million masks and essential Covid-19 resources to underserved communities across the state.

Christopher Russell

Communication Manager

Ken Seawright has served as the Operations/Budget Officer since 2020. Ken brings over 35 years of experience in governmental agency internal audit and program financial grant management and accounting. Ken has a passion for improving public health in MS, especially along the community-built environment aspect to encourage fitness activities

Ken Seawright

Operations Officer

As a registered nurse and program manager at MSPHI, I am a healthcare professional with expertise in public health services, environmental health, nutrition, education, social services, and health information technology. I am dedicated to developing partnerships that are committed to program innovation, the increase of health resources, education, health awareness, and applied research and policy. The work I do at MSPHI promotes public health through projects in policy evaluation, community health, data analysis, and health access.

Hannah Sheridan

Program Specialist, Registered Nurse

Monica Stinson, a seasoned Public Health Professional, specializes in developing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs. Her extensive expertise includes effective leadership, adept project management, and administrative proficiency. Currently serving as the Program Manager for the Mississippi Perinatal Collaborative, Monica leads impactful transformative maternal and infant health improvement initiatives. Early in her career, Monica focused on chronic disease prevention and tobacco cessation, working as a health educator in the Mississippi Delta. She also directed the State Asthma Program for five years before shifting her focus to maternal and child health in 2014, overseeing various initiatives. Monica earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s Degree in Health Education from Mississippi University for Women. She has held the title of Certified Health Education Specialist since 2007.

Monica Stinson

MSPQC
Program Manager

Millicent Suttlar

Project Specialist

John Taylor

Information Technology Specialist

Roderick C. Thurman is a computer engineering technology professional with a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. As a Program Manager at the Mississippi Public Health Institute, he collaborates with SUD Teams to combat opioid abuse in Mississippi, providing crucial technical support when needed. With over 13 years of experience in public and mental health, Roderick's versatility shines through as he delivers technical support, maintains databases, and offers end-user training for state agencies, non-profits, and local conferences. Dedicated to leveraging technology for the betterment of his community and the State of Mississippi, Roderick is always prepared to contribute his skills and experience for a positive impact.

Roderick Thurman

Program Manager

I am Gary Touchstone, I work with the Mississippi Public Health Institute as a Data Analyst on the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. I have worked in the areas of data analysis and data mining, Systems Engineering, RF Engineering, Data Base Administration and Systems Administration for over 25 years. I have been working with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for the past seven years in the capacity of Data Analyst. Primarily my function is to ensure data collection and compliance with federal reporting rules for individuals with substance use disorders within the state of Mississippi. The data collected is used to measure efficacy of substance use disorder (SUD) programs within the state. This data is then used to measure the levels of recidivism so that programs can be adjusted to more effectively provide services to an individual’s needs for treatment.

Gary Touchstone

Data Analyst

I am a dedicated Program Manager serving under Jan's Substance Use Disorder (SUD) team. In my role, I have the privilege of overseeing the COSSUP 2020 grant, where I work diligently to make a positive impact on our community's well-being. Beyond my managerial responsibilities, I'm passionate about mental health. As a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor, I empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide crucial support during mental health crises. Additionally, I am a certified Naloxone Trainer, equipping individuals with the life-saving knowledge to combat opioid overdose emergencies. My mission is to foster a healthier and more compassionate community, and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of those I serve.

Ronald Turner

Program Manager

Sylvia Turner

Program Manager

Dr. AnnaLyn Whitt is a public health veteran, beginning her career in 1998 in Alabama. In 2003, upon completing her Masters’ in both Social Work and Public Health, she moved home to Mississippi, to work at the state department of health as the maternal and child health block grant coordinator. Dr. Whitt has a passion for looking at the data and helping to develop programming that is sustainable for Mississippians. Dr. Whitt has worked as a licensed social worker and public health advocate her entire career, focusing on women and children’s health, integrated health and well-being, and community based participatory research. Dr. Whitt is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Social Work, the UAB School of Public Health, and in 2015, received her Doctorate from the University of MS Medical Center in Healthcare Administration.

AnnaLyn Whitt


Health Systems Program Director

Abby Winstead, MPH, CHES®, CPH, CPS is a Program Manager for the Substance Use Disorder Department at the Mississippi Public Health Institute in Madison, Mississippi. She holds a Master’s in Public Health-Maternal and Child Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Mississippi State University. Abby’s interests in prevention stem from her passion for serving others, and she has worked for MSPHI in a variety of prevention roles. Prior to her time at MSPHI, she worked as a community health coordinator in a small village in Haiti for two years with But God Ministries. She is a member of the Mississippi Public Health Association, Opioid and Heroin Data Collaborative, State Epidemiological Workgroup, and Programs of Hope as well as an instructor for Adult Mental Health First Aid and Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training.

Abby Winstead

Program Manager

Amy Winter

Program Manager

Program Overview:
The Healthy Families Mothers and Babies initiative is a five-year grant funded project through REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on reducing health disparities and rates of chronic illness in African American women of childbearing ages in Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock Counties. We have 3 focus areas that include nutrition, tobacco free living, and community clinical linkages. Our community-centered communications campaign entitled, SHEA (Sharing Health, Education and Awareness) is focused on reducing health disparities and rates of chronic disease among Black women, babies, and families in Jackson, Hancock, and Harrison Counties.

Contact:
Shakeizia Jones
kjones@msphi.org
769-567-1221
sheahealth.org

 

 

 

The Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MSPQC) is a statewide partnership with the primary objective of enhancing birth outcomes in Mississippi through evidence-based quality improvement initiatives at both the hospital and community levels. MSPQC adopts a data-driven, collaborative approach, focusing on specific factors influencing maternal and neonatal health. Participating members are actively involved in selecting projects aimed at developing, disseminating, and successfully implementing best practices across all clinical and community settings that cater to the needs of mothers and infants. Serving as a strategic leader, accessible resource, and unifying organization, MSPQC strives to guide statewide quality improvement efforts, drawing inspiration from successful Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) with established and proven practices.

Contact Information
Monica Stinson, MS, CHES
mstinson@msphi.org

 

Mississippi breastfeeding rates are almost the lowest in the country. As part of our mission to improve the health of Mississippians throughout the state, the Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition wants to support mothers, promoting breastfeeding practices in business and early childhood education centers and clinical-community linkages that serve as a means of referral for needed services. Some of the outcomes expected are to develop a sustainable system for continuing education for lactation professionals in Mississippi, to establish a sustainable system for the provision of breastfeeding support for low-income families, and to establish a community of practice to support the sustainability of breastfeeding support groups to improve breastfeeding rates in Mississippi by offering access to equitable lactation support statewide.

Contact: Eliana Glass
Eglass@msphi.org
www.msbfc.org

 

Mississippi breastfeeding rates are almost the lowest in the country. As part of our mission to improve the health of Mississippians throughout the state, the Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition wants to support mothers, promoting breastfeeding practices in business and early childhood education centers and clinical-community linkages that serve as a means of referral for needed services. Some of the outcomes expected are to develop a sustainable system for continuing education for lactation professionals in Mississippi, to establish a sustainable system for the provision of breastfeeding support for low-income families, and to establish a community of practice to support the sustainability of breastfeeding support groups to improve breastfeeding rates in Mississippi by offering access to equitable lactation support statewide.

Contact: Eliana Glass
Eglass@msphi.org
www.msbfc.org

 

 

Jackson Safer Childbirth Experience (JSCE)  focuses upon providing the services of community-based doulas to African American women of childbearing age, specifically those between the ages of 18 and 44. Our doula team is composed of African American women who come from an array of backgrounds consisting of a mixture of medical and non-medical backgrounds. We strive to provide individualized care that is intimate and specific to not only medical conditions, but also specific to all aspects of parenthood. Thus, we provide a more in-depth approach to care that starts where they are and continuously guides them to positive physical and mental outcomes. We accomplish this by assessing mothers’ needs during enrollment and connecting them to services through built partnerships in order to make their transition into parenthood more successful.

Contact
Tara Shaw
Program Specialist
601-566-1046

 

Program Overview
In collaboration with United Healthcare, MSPHI provides remote blood pressure monitoring and health education to prenatal and postpartum women through the Babyscripts web application.  Maternal clinics throughout the state have been recruited for participation and providers at these clinics provide patient referrals to the program.  Through the Babyscripts app, mothers are able to monitor blood pressure and providers are alerted in the case of hypertensive readings.  Messages and reminders are regularly sent to mothers regarding care and the need for immediate medical attention if warranted. Through this project healthcare providers are able to monitor hypertension more efficiently, particularly among high-risk maternal patients.  Participants are also able to gain knowledge about conditions that influence pregnancy outcomes which promotes better self care.

Contact
Jacinda Roach
jroach@msphi.org

 

 

Program Overview
 Through this project, MSPHI has partnered with Amerigroup to provide continuing education to healthcare professionals on health literacy.  Topics include:  Building Health Literacy into Your Community Programs, Building Health Literate Interprofessional Teams, Health Literate LGBTQ+ Care, and Designing Accessible Educational Materials.  Education is provided through an asynchronous learning platform that providers can complete at their own pace and earn up to 11 hours of CME credit. This project allows providers to better understand barriers related to health literacy that influence patient engagement.  It is estimated that only 12 % of Americans have proficient health literacy skills.  Thus, many are unable to navigate through the current health system or effectively engage in discussions about medical care.

Contact
Jacinda Roach
jroach@msphi.org
https://srahec.org/heatlh-literacy

 

 

Program Overview
MSPHI in partnership with the Office of Tobacco Control provides training, technical assistance and merchant education training and materials for the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalitions (MTFCs). The MTFCs are community-based coalitions that work to educate municipalities and schools regarding smoke-free air, prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, promote cessation services, and eliminate tobacco-related disparities.

Website: msdh.ms.gov
Contact:
Glenda Crump
Jacinda Roach
jroach@msphi.org
https://srahec.org/heatlh-literacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Overview: 
CEAL is designed to provide trustworthy, science-based information through active community engagement and outreach to the people hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of building long-lasting partnerships as well as improving diversity and inclusion in our research response to COVID-19. MSPHI is a partner of the MSDH , Office of Preventive Health to provide support in implementing vaccine equity public health research and outreach efforts(helping promote vaccine confidence research and promotion efforts. 

Contact: 
Glenda Crump, MS
Website: 
covid19community.nih.gov/community-engagement-teams/mississippi-ceal

 

 

MSPHI, in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, (DMH) coordinates the HIV, Tuberculous, & Sexually Transmitted Infections-Early Intervention Services Collaborative Program (HIV EIP) which includes HIV counseling and testing for individuals receiving services at facilities certified by DMH including Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and Free-standing programs. MSPHI will also work with faith-based churches to offer testing within their communities. Why is the project necessary? Mississippi ranks among the highest in the nation in rate of new HIV infections and had the eighth-highest AIDS death rate of any state in the United States in 2016. In 2021, there were 9,873 people living with HIV in Mississippi. In 2021, 419 people were newly diagnosed with HIV.

Contact
https://www.dmh.ms.gov
LaQuita Hather, MS

Program Overview: 

The Jackson Heart Study (JHS),  is a major, long-term study of hearth health in African American adults living in the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan areas.  The JHS Community Engagement Center (CEC), Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)  supports the Jackson Heart Study’s efforts to promote heart health within targeted communities around the greater Jackson metropolitan area. The Community Engagement Center (CEC) actively draws upon Jackson Heart Study (JHS) research findings and builds awareness of health risks and healthy choices to improve lives. MSPHI works  collaboratively with the Office of Preventive Health , MSDH, which coordinates CEC to develop and disseminate print, radio, television campaign messaging and materials including website and social media platforms to promote cardiovascular disease prevention in the Jackson area and beyond. MSPHI assists with videography and the development of informational articles, newsletters, flyers, pamphlets, infographics, etc. utilizing JHS or MSDH driven data to promote risk factor reduction for cardiovascular disease and related conditions in African Americans. 

Contact:
Glenda Crump ,MS, CPM
Website: 
https://www.jacksonheartstudy.org/Community

 

Program Overview: 

The Mississippi Choctaw Youth Resilience Initiative (CYRI-MS) is a partnership between MSPHI and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI.).  CYRI-MS augments  and extends previous suicide prevention efforts implemented by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI). The MBCI is a self-governing vibrant Native American tribe of 11,000 but has historically faced the compounded disadvantages of cultural marginalization. MSPHI coordinates a combination of evidence based programs and practices (EBPs)  with cultural adaptations undertaken as directed by tribal leaders.

Contact:
Jan Entrekin
jentrekin@msphi.org
Website: https://sprc.org/choctaws

 


Program Overview:
The Region IV Public Health Training Center (PHTC), located at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, helps public health professionals build the core skills and strategic competencies necessary to address current and future public health challenges. Competency-based training  is guided by state-identified needs and focuses on primary strategic skills and priority health concerns in the region. MSPHI serves as one of seven Community-Based Training Partner ( CBTs) assisting in  assessing  Mississippi’s  training needs, identifying  training priorities, developing  and implementing a region-wide training plan, and evaluate the impact of collaborative efforts.

 

Contact: 
Angie Gainey, MBA
Website:r4phtc.org 


Program Overview: 

The Jackson Heart Study (JHS),  is a major, long-term study of hearth health in African American adults living in the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan areas.  The JHS Community Engagement Center (CEC), Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)  supports the Jackson Heart Study’s efforts to promote heart health within targeted communities around the greater Jackson metropolitan area. The Community Engagement Center (CEC) actively draws upon Jackson Heart Study (JHS) research findings and builds awareness of health risks and healthy choices to improve lives. MSPHI works  collaboratively with the Office of Preventive Health , MSDH, which coordinates CEC to develop and disseminate print, radio, television campaign messaging and materials including website and social media platforms to promote cardiovascular disease prevention in the Jackson area and beyond. MSPHI assists with videography and the development of informational articles, newsletters, flyers, pamphlets, infographics, etc. utilizing JHS or MSDH driven data to promote risk factor reduction for cardiovascular disease and related conditions in African Americans. 

Contact:
Glenda Crump ,MS, CPM
Website: 
https://www.jacksonheartstudy.org/Community

 


Program Overview: 

The OAIV TVM project is designed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 with an intentional focus on increasing access to COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and mobile health units to mitigate the spread of this virus, and increase supports for domestic violence survivors. The MSPHI team serves as the technical assistance provider, linking domestic violence programs with primary and preventive health services.  

Contact info
Hannah Sheridan, RN, BSN
Program Manager
hsheridan@msphi.org

Program Overview

Project Firstline Mississippi, developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an innovative outreach program designed to promote foundational knowledge on infection prevention and control for all types of frontline healthcare workers.  Outreach activities include weekly social media interaction posts and a variety of images and posters with best practice messaging. Educational and training opportunities include free, comprehensive online course curriculum to expand knowledge on infection prevention and control guidelines, COVID-19 precautions, and best practices; user-friendly videos from CDC, APIC, WHO, and more.

 

Contact:
Jan Entrekin
Program Manager  jentrekin@msphi.org
Website URL:  www.projectfirstlinems.org
Social Media:
Facebook-Project Firstline Mississippi


Program Overview: 
SW SOAR Partners focus on creating a sustainable, integrated, multi-disciplinary mental and physical health care system that reduces morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder and opioid use disorder. 

 

Contact info
Logan Nalker, BIS,
Program Manager, lnalker@msphi.org

Program Overview:
The MSPHI is a PHIG Regional Innovation Hub and foundational to NNPHI ’s approach to providing tailored and proactive technical assistance (TA) and training to PHIG recipients. Our mission is to support 17 funded PHIG health department recipients with effective workplan strategy implementation and optimized outcomes. The Hub offers sustainable and supportive relationships and collaboration across the public health system to fully harness the potential of the workforce, data, and infrastructure capacity.

Contact:
Dr. AnnaLyn Whitt, Director
awhitt@msphi.org

or Phig@msphi.org
Madison Nevels
Program Manager

Program Overview: 
Mississippi’s Overdose Data Action (OD2A) program supports collecting high-quality, comprehensive, and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses to inform prevention and response efforts. OD2A focuses on understanding and tracking the complex and changing nature of the drug overdose epidemic and highlights the need for seamless integration of data into prevention strategies. OD2A is led by the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) and supported by a federal grant initiative funded by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Contact: 
Jan Dawson
jdawson@msphi.org
Website: ODFree.org